Shropshire getting safer, statistics say

People in Shropshire still need to be vigilant about crimes occurring in their area, even though statistics show the county is getting safer.

This is according to Councillor Miles Kenny, chairman of the Shropshire Policing Board, who warned people to be on their guard despite a drop in recorded crime over the year.

"Shropshire continues to be a low crime area but this does not mean that Shropshire is a no crime area," he said.

"People should continue to be vigilant and take steps to prevent opportunist crimes such as locking their sheds, not leaving valuables in view in their cars and securing their bikes when unattended."

For the year ending March 31, 2011, the total number of crimes in the county stood at 13,501 —- down from 16,070 in 2008/09.

Confidence in the police has also increased from 48 per cent to 58 per cent in the last two years. Domestic burglaries were reduced from 688 to 526, while the number of incidents of serious violence against a person was cut from 192 to 166.

The Shropshire Policing Board praised Territorial Commander Peter Lightwood and his team for their year-end performance. The organisation highlighted a targeted action to tackle GHB drug use in Oswestry as one deserving of particular praise.